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Westminster’s plans to certify the English single malt whiskey have been described as “sabotage” by Scottish politicians who fear that this undermines one of their main export industries.
A consultation was launched this week on the proposals that would allow whiskey distilled in England to be classified as “single malt”, and offered the same geographic brand as its Scottish rival.
Manufacturers are looking for a protected geographical status, which has been given to products Like Champagne and Cornwall pastries, as a brand of quality and authenticity, allowing premium prices.
“This is an act of sabotage and it is yet another blatant attack on one of the main industries of Scotland by a Labor government which simply does not care about it,” said Graham Leadbitter , MP for the Scottish National Party for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, a constituency. This is home to a third of the Scotland whiskey distilleries.
He said that the proposal “completely undermines” the 5.4 billion dollars Whiskey Scotch sector. “Sir Keir Starmer must end these damaging plans now,” he added, referring to the British Prime Minister.
Prime Minister John Swinney said the Prime Minister said the Scottish government would “all the representations necessary to protect the identity and character of Scottish whiskey”.
The Scotch Whiskey Association also warned that the request would be undergoing the Pedigree and the title of “Single Malt”.
Scotch requires that malt grains be crushed, fermented and distilled all on the same site so that the drink is eligible for classification. However, the English application only requires whiskey distilled on a site to receive a “single malt” note.
It would be “very detrimental” that English whiskeys could describe their minds as “single malt” despite their product in a different way from the “long -standing traditions” of the Scottish whiskey industry, SWA warned.
“In short, it allows washing (fermented liquid) to be at the cart from other sites,” added the SWA. “This would break the fundamental connection with the place, which is the central element of the single malt.”
The English whiskey guild, established in 2022 and with 26 members of members, said that its application was consistent with the United States, which produces whiskey, and aligned with the geographical indication of the Welsh whiskey single.
“These different standards support the creation of quality whiskey while promoting innovation and differentiation in each country,” said Director General Morag Garden.
The body said it would work with Defra, as well as SWA and other parts to ensure “robust” standards for English whiskey.
Whiskey ROW intervenes while the Scottish industry, a vital export for Scotland and the United Kingdom, is faced with turbulent global conditions which have worked the recovery of the COVVI-19 pandemic, with higher contribution costs And a request for pricing leading to raised warehouses.
Scottish whiskey exports fell 3.7% to 5.4 billion pounds sterling in 2024, while the distiller warned of continuous pressure on consumption spending this year, according to SWA.
Malt simple exports fell by 17% to 1.7 billion sterling pounds over the same period, while global export volumes were increasing, reflecting “the changing trends in world consumer preferences” because Many drinkers turn to cheaper whiskey. Scotch represents 99% of all single malt consumed in the United Kingdom and 93% of single malt whiskeys negotiated internationally.
SWA has called on the British government to alleviate growing inner pressure on industry, including the reduction in excise duties which sees 70% of the bottle at average prices now collected in tax. The Industry organization has also criticized the decision of the British Chancellor Rachel Reeves to increase the rights of the mind, saying that he broke the Prime Minister’s commitment to “support Scotch producers to the handle ».
Emma Harper, SNP MSP and assistant manager of the Cross Party group on Scotch Whiskey, described the move as “scandalous”. “This would destroy the Scottish whiskey industry and lead to a loss of jobs and exports,” she said.
